Father’s Day

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Father’s Day

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Ephesians 6:4


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LESSONS FROM THE CALENDAR (11)

Today, we continue our periodic 2025 theme, “Lessons from the Calendar”.  In this lesson we want to address Father’s Day.  It is a national holiday that takes place the 3rd Sunday in June.  While this day does not receive the same recognition as Mother’s Day, it is a day where children (and spouses) pause to honor their fathers.  While Mother’s Day was first observed in 1908, Father’s Day began to be observed in 1910 in the state of Washington.  It is credited to a woman, Sonora Smart Dodd, one of 6 children of a widower, who sought to establish a day similar to Mother’s Day.  In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson wanted to make it an official holiday, but he was resisted by congress.  In 1924, after the idea slowly spread, President Calvin Coolidge urged states to observe the day, but it still fell short of being nationally recognized.  In 1966, Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation honoring fathers and established it as the 3rd Sunday in June (which was unofficially recognized prior to that almost since its inception).  However, it was not made officially until 1972 when Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making it a federal holiday.   For decades it was resisted by many because of attempts to commercialize it (as had been done with Mother’s Day).

Like Mother’s Day, its commercialization, has caused resistance and concerns (according history.com[1])   However, the day is often recognized with gifts for fathers (ties, golf clubs, shirts, tickets to sporting events, gift cards, etc.) and phone calls or time with fathers.  According to the National Retail Federation, last year, more than $22 Billion was spent on Father’s Day.[2]

A sad reality is that this day is not a good memory for many, because of broken or absent relationship with their fathers – whether abandoned, abused or absent, Father’s Day for many is a bitter reminder of broken relationships.  According to Fathering advocate sites, about 25% of children in America grow up without their biological father in the home with alarming results[3].   HOWEVER, there are many fathers who are present in their children’s lives and the Bible has much to say about fathers.

NOTE: As with every other lesson in this series, it is NOT our intent to make this a special day for the church.  We do not find such special observances in the New Testament among Christians and congregations.  What we do today will be no different than any other Sunday.  But the focus of our lesson will be about fathers, because that is a topic on our minds.

  1. God’s Intention For Fathers
    1. The term father is literally from a root ( πα – pa) word that means “a nourisher, protector, upholder” (Thayer).  According to https://www.etymonline.com/word/*pa- the root means, “to protect, feed.”
    2. They are the progenitors of life. Contrary to what our society wants to acknowledge, you need a male to bring a child into this world.  And that man becomes a biological father.
      1. It was God’s intention that a husband and wife produce children – Genesis 1:28.
      2. Both scripture and studies show that children learn many of their traits from their fathers. This is true physically, as well as morally and spiritually.  Genesis 5:3 notes Adam begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
    3. Children also need spiritual fathers.
      1. Ephesians 6:4 – fathers are called to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord.  Note the qualifier, do not provoke your children to anger.  Colossians 3:21 – Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.  A father needs to be approachable and reasonable in his dealings.
      2. Proverbs 22:6.
      3. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – note in this context, many of the instructions are in the masculine form (and while that would be the default gender, it is worthy of note).
      4. Joshua 24:15, “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
      5. Studies have been done about families noting that when a father is present and faithful in attendance, the likelihood of children following in his steps are exponentially greater that any other family demographic (e.g., absent fathers, mother only, unfaithful or unbelieving father, sibling first to obey, etc.).
    4. They are providers for their family
      1. It was God’s intent that fathers be the providers of the home. Genesis 2:15 – Adam was responsible to tend the garden and keep it.  Genesis 3:17, even after the curse, he was given the responsibility to work.
      2. 1 Timothy 5:8 – if anyone does not provide for his own…
      3. Ephesians 6:4 – spiritual provisions. As above noted, the father is responsible to train the children, including in God’s ways.  Consider Psalm 78:3-7, the psalmist (Asaph) speaks of teachings, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments.  Cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – Paul spoke of how a father exhorts, comforts and charges his children.
      4. They also need to provide an example worthy of imitation (cf. Matthew 5:16).
      5. They discipline both positive and negative (praise & punishment) as needed – cf. Hebrews 12:6-11.
      6. They provide protection – from the elements, evil men and influences, including Satan. The home needs to be a place where one feels safe and accepted.  A place where we can “let down our guard” a little because it is secure.  That applies spiritually as well – a godly home will be filled with evidence of respect for God and protections to keep ungodliness out (including our media of various sorts).  There is a lot that goes into feeling secure.
  2. Godly fathers in scripture
    1. Like mothers, there are several examples of godly fathers in scripture. Fathers who demonstrated characteristics worthy of imitation.
    2. Noah was righteous in his generation – Genesis 6:8-10 finds him finding “grace in the eyes of the LORD”. He was a just man, perfect in His generation and walked with God.  He builds the ark as God commanded.  Note Hebrews 11:7 – He was not able to convince and save the world, but he saved his family.  And that says something.
    3. Abraham – a father of faith. When we think of examples of faith, Abraham usually comes to mind.  He trusted God and that faith kept strengthening.
      1. He provided for both Lot (his nephew when his father died) and Ishmael.
      2. Genesis 18:19, as the LORD is headed to Sodom he tells
      3. As a father, he built a lasting heritage. Isaac was faithful and so was Jacob.
      4. Proverbs 13:22, A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. While we think of this in physical terms, it also applies spiritually.  Abraham demonstrated to his son Isaac that God will provide and protect, EVEN as he was told to sacrifice his son (Hebrews 11:17-19, cf. Genesis 22).
    4. Job – a man of prayer.  He cared about his children and sanctified them and would offer sacrifices on their behalf – Job 1:5. He cared about their spiritual well-being. Fathers in their prayers will pray for their children.
    5. Zechariah, father of John – he gave his son the right name – Luke 1:63. A name given by God.  But it wasn’t just the “name on paper”.  John became everything God intended him to be.  Zechariah would have had a part in his upbringing.  Recall why he was chosen – Luke 1:6, he and Elizabeth, were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
    6. Joseph, father of Jesus – we know that he helped raise and protect Jesus, at least through His early teens. Even though Jesus was not his physical son (Matthew 1:19, 24-25), He took care of him.  He led Jesus to Egypt to protect Him and brought Him to Nazareth when it was safe (Matthew 2:13-23).  He was known as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55) implying that Joseph raised Jesus and taught Him his trade.  At age 12, he is still with Jesus (Luke 2:41-42, 48).
    7. The Father of the prodigal son – Luke 15:11ff. In this parable, the father, while giving his son freedoms, NEVER stops caring about him.  20, he longed to see him return, and when he did there was great rejoicing.  Spiritually applied, Jesus was speaking of God as the Father.  There is no greater of a Father than God Himself.
      1. He has adopted us – Ephesians 1:5
      2. He provides for us – Matthew 7:11
      3. He disciplines us – Hebrews 12:5-11
      4. He protects us – 2 Corinthians 1:3 describes Him as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. Romans 8:35-39 – who shall separate us from the love of Christ?…   1 Corinthians 10:13 – not allowed to be tempted beyond what we are able.
      5. He has promised us an inheritance – 1 Peter 1:3-4, Romans 8:16-17.
      6. NOTE: Godly fathers will help their children understand this by their example.
  3. The Responsibility of Children to their Fathers
    1. Ephesians 6:1-3 – to honor and obey their parents, including their father.
    2. Proverbs 1:8, My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; It would do children good to understand that a father (and mothers) knows more than they do.  A caring father will give good advice based upon the circumstance.  He is WORTHY of due respect and consideration when he teaches and gives direction.
    3. Proverbs 23:24 – Bring joy. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him.
    4. In later life, to care for them. 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8, 16. In times past (and in many cultures of the world today) that was more understood.  Recall the condemnation of Jesus in Matthew 15:3-6.  There may come a time, when children need to help their parents in whatever way it is needed.  This is a way of showing great honor to them.

And thus we are reminded of the role of Fathers.  Like mothers, it is good to take a day to honor our fathers.  If they have been there for you, be thankful both to them and to God.  And realize that the greatest honor one can show to both parents is to be faithful to God.  For that has rewards that will extend well beyond this life.  And, do not let the honor of your parents be limited to a couple of days a year, but at all times. Honor should never end where it is due.  Think about it!

[1] Much of the historical information in our introduction is taken from https://www.history.com/articles/fathers-day, June 12, 2025.  “Father’s Day 2025”, History.com editors (updated May 28, 2025).

[2] Father’s Day Spending to Total 22.4 Billion (press release) https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/fathers-day-spending-total-224-billion

[3] https://dadsrc.org/facts-regarding-children-growing-up-in-households-without-a-biological-father/
https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic

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